Altered Surfaces designation, any input would be wonderful...

I thought about not mentioning what the problem PCGS put on this coin and see what you all said... Instead I concluded it might be easier for members to explain what they see with regards to the AS designation. They are the best photos I could get, thank you so much.

 

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hard to tell from photo, could be improperly dipped or over dipped

 

From the PCGS website:

"This No Grade covers anything added to the surface of the coin to either "improve" its appearance or to cover marks. Surface alteration methods include adding: dental wax, putty, lacquer, nose grease, etc. "Thumbing" is the application of a putty-like material to fill in marks, scratches, and other defects or to haze over portions of the coin. Coatings (such as lacquer), while intended to protect coins, result in a No Grade because it is impossible to determine the quality of the underlying surfaces."

That being said, I agree with bkozak33 - very difficult to tell from the photos provided. I would think this would be something that you would need a loupe to detect. I'm wondering if a coin doctor took a dremel tool to this coin to clean up a sketchy part of the fields? Of course, that's just a pure guess...really would need better photos to make a better guess lol.

 

There is also a mark I missed just to the right of the bottom leaf. I *really* wanted to buy this problem coin so it doesn't go un-loved but I think I'm going to pass. ;(

 

Altered surfaces also includes whizzing and some forms of harsh cleaning. But if I had to guess on this coin it would be that something was put on the coin to darken it. Assuming the color in the pics anywhere near accurate.

Does look like light cigar smoke AT doesn't it. Now some use H2S gas.

 

I'm stumped.

 

UPDATE - the gentleman sent me a few new photos

 

Rev

 

I had an 1881-O Morgan Dollar that a gentleman had stored, with about 189 more,in an oil can and over time the Obverse developed what looked like shellac on it. They returned it with the notation of "Altered Surface" and the Conservation Service wouldn't or couldn't remove it.

 

what does this oil can trick do?

 

It ruins your coins!!

 

How much is the conservation service?

Will they only do it on gradeable coins?

 

All I know is that on one of my Morgans,an 1881-0, they returned in a slab graded MS62 for the Reverse I'm guessing and a notation on the slab altered surface because it did have something like shellac on the obverse from being stored in an old quart oil can that still had a little oil in it,but then on an 1879 Morgan they chose it for conservation service and it came back MS67 Cam PL.